If cuts kick in, commercial space crew delays expected

Debt deal may slow plan

11:09 PM,
Feb. 15, 2013

SpaceX is upgrading its Dragon cargo carrier, seen here, for human spaceflight.

Written by

Ledyard King
| FLORIDA TODAY

NASA's development of a commercial rocket to bring astronauts to the International Space Station would be significantly delayed if automatic federal spending cuts take effect next month.

The agency said that's one of several drastic measures it will have to take if Congress does nothing to prevent the cuts, known as sequestration, from kicking in March 1.

Under the sequestration deal lawmakers agreed to in 2011, federal agencies would have to cut $1.2 trillion in discretionary spending over the next decade, with half coming from the Pentagon, unless Congress agrees to a deal that cuts the ...